LAWT 07-07-2011 by LA WATTSTIMES

W E E K E N D E R

L.A. Watts Times Vol. XXX, No. 1239

Thursday, July 7, 2011

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FEATURE STORY

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

HOROSCOPES

JULY 7 - 13

RIES ~ This week is a good week for remembering that without the help of your colleagues it would be impossible for you to expedite the tasks that need to be done. Thank them ahead of time. Thank them graciously and celebrate with them. AURUS ~ Little by little you will come to realize that you are too good to be second choice. This week don’t even think about why your recent romance failed. It wasn’t meant to be. There are many more fish in the sea ready for you to hook them. Go for it! EMINI ~ Offer a shoulder to cry on to someone you know that has been going through some difficulty. They need a friend right now, and you can be that person. Listen and don’t speak. Your sensitivity and compassion will mean a lot right now. ANCER ~ If you need some time to yourself this week, take it. You’ll be doing yourself an act of kindness. Since you do so much for others, why not treat yourself as well as you treat them? Your world is the way you are living. Live with love. EO ~ When you are guided by spirit, you’ll find that you are working, living, and breathing in tune with the universe. What a great feeling! You’ll be a source of peace and blessings for all that you encounter this week. IRGO ~ Remember that you are an intensely physical sign, and you need to move your body in order to relax. Take a walk, go for a swim, play tennis, or scrub that kitchen floor. However you choose to move, you’ll liberate your spirit and relax at the same time. Get going!

IBRA ~ It’s a week tailor-made for your energies, so get out there and let every perfect moment flow toward you. You’ve got an abundance of pleasant feelings why not spread them around? CORPIO ~ Success is a series of small steps. The baby steps you take each week toward your dream will move you closer and closer to your vision. Keep taking those little steps and expect to hear some good news about a big project. AGITTARIUS ~ Expect some surprises this week. You’ll be very happy about at least one of them. Stay flexible and you’ll be in the right place at the right moment, every moment. You’ll want to celebrate at home tonight. APRICORN ~ A burst of enthusiasm will carry you through the early part of the work week, and with a positive outlook, you’ll be very happy with what you’ve accomplished at the end of the week. Have a heap of fun! QUARIUS ~ An older female may extend something valuable to you, and you’ll be very glad about what you receive. Possibilities seem endless this week, and you’ll want to refresh your outlook about a particular project that suddenly looks lucrative again. ISCES ~ The possibility exists that you’ve temporarily overlooked a powerful way of increasing your income. Still your mind and let your spirit guide you toward a perfect solution to a vexing situation.

‘Planking’: Just a Game? SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS

AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong

A group of Thai youths demonstrates “planking” on the stairs of a shopping mall in Bangkok.

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A recent fad known as “planking” calls for participants to find the most difficult place in which to lie face down with palms to the side and feet pointed to the floor. The practice is said to have been by started by Aussies Gary Clarkson and Christian Langdon 14 years ago, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. As children, they performed it in public places, reveling in amusement from onlookers. But they had no idea their socalled game would one day garner worldwide attention, with “plankers” sharing their pictures on social

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

City Council votes to support withdrawal of troops LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The Los Angeles City Council voted today to support the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Iraq and to redirect any savings to domestic needs.

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wars, saying the city has urged caution when entering new conflicts, but has been highly supportive of troops. She cited the city’s decision to pay for any shortcomings in health benefits while

This country, I believe, is war-weary,” she said. “It’s time to invade this country with resources. We know that our schools need more resources. We need to spend more money creating jobs. We need to get our economy back up and running.

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— Councilwoman Janice Hahn The council voted 12-1 to support any federal legislation that funds a “safe and orderly” withdrawal. The resolution called for the federal government to cut nonessential defense budget appropriations. “We’re spending $1 trillion over there. We should be investing in education, health care and infrastructure,” said Councilman Bill Rosendahl, himself a veteran as well as the author of the resolution. “We need to focus on ourselves and stop playing big shot all over the earth.” The U.S. withdrew its last combat troops from Iraq in August 2010, but 50,000 U.S. soldiers are still there, training Iraqi soldiers as part of “Operation New Dawn.” The vote gives the city’s lobbyists in Washington the go-ahead to support bills for the withdrawal of the rest of the troops in Iraq and all of them in Afghanistan. A report from the council’s chief legislative analyst cited five bills that call for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s intergovernmental staff will be in regular communication with lobbyists about which of the bills to support. Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who is running for the seat in the U.S. House vacated by Jane Harman, commended the city for its positions on

city employees are on active military duty. Hahn said “dozens” of people have asked her to help end the wars if she is elected to Congress. “This country, I believe, is war-weary,” she said. “It’s time to invade this country with resources. We know that our schools need more resources. We need to spend more money creating jobs. We need to get our economy back up and running.” Rosendahl brushed aside the notion that the wars are not a relevant issue for City Hall to tackle, adding, “We’re all impacted by these overseas wars that make no sense … “This is a resolution, where ... we in Los Angeles are saying to the federal government, ‘Begin to realize that if we don’t invest in ourselves, our country is going to go down.’ ” Councilman Mitchell Englander, sworn in as the newest city councilman on Friday, was the only dissenting vote. Englander said he supports U.S. troops and agrees they should be brought home safely and responsibly. “However, the city government’s jurisdiction and functions are local issues, paving streets, trimming trees, ensuring public safety and creating local jobs—not weighAP Photo/Jessica Hill ing in on federal affairs such as overseas military About 110 soldiers of the 250th Engineer Co. of the Connecticut National Guard, activity,” he stated. who were deployed to Iraq last winter, have returned home.

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Aaron James, Grambling State Interim Athletics Director

Aaron James

On June 29, Aaron James was appointed interim athletics director at Grambling State University. A longtime mainstay at the university, James most recently served Grambling as assistant professor in the department of kinesiology, sports and leisure studies; he also serves as Assistant Bayou Classic Committee Coordinator. A graduate of Grambling with a B.A. in health and physical education (1974) and a Master of Science degree in sports administration (1983), James was a standout for the Tigers basketball team, which led to his being taken in the first round of the 1974 NBA draft by the New Orleans Jazz, with whom he spent five years. In addition to playing in the NBA, James played for Sienna Basketball Club in Italy as well as in Manila in the Philippines; served as men’s head basketball coach and health and physical education instructor at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, TX, and has also served Grambling as assistant women’s basketball coach, men’s head basketball coach, assistant director of athletics and athletic liaison for the Office of Development. James is and has been affiliated with the Louisiana Association of Health, Physical Education,

Energy Management Success Story: Partnering with the community Our region’s electrical grid needs investments to enhance its reliability and security for the long-term. Our “general rate case” is a formal request SCE makes to the California Public Utilities Commission every three years. The rate case determines about half of what makes up customer rates and allows us to perform our core work – making sure you have access to safe and reliable electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the process, we will also be creating over 10,000 jobs in the California economy. Below is an example of how one small business took advantage of SCE programs to decrease costs. For more information about our rate case and how our plan benefits the California economy, visit www.sce.com/2012plan.

Donald R. Gridiron, Senior Pastor Faith Center Ministries C.O.G.I.C., Walnut CA “Last year we got a call from Southern California Edison representative asking us if we were interested in learning about the energy management program. We were a little surprised but said yes. They sent a representative to our church to do an energy audit. The audit revealed that we were eligible for new energy efficient lighting with motion sensors, which has saved us 15-25% a month on our electricity bills. An unexpected benefit with the new lights is that they are brighter and whiter than our old lights. It is a generous program and an unusual partnership, but it was a good partnership.”

SCE Helps You Save SCE helps small, medium and large size businesses get financial incentives for new equipment for lighting, refrigeration, food service, air conditioning, agriculture and premium efficiency motors through Express Solutions. (800) 736-4777 www.sce.com/Express_Solutions Earn Even More Savings with Other SCE Offerings Southern California Edison offers a range of energy management solutions to help you better manage your electricity costs. • Purchase qualifying energy-efficient equipment or technologies and receive incentives and rebates through SCE’s Express and Customized Solutions. (800) 736-4777 www.sce.com/Express_Solutions www.sce.com/Customized_Solutions • Save more with SCE’s Demand Response Programs, such as Critical Peak Pricing and Demand Bidding Program, which offer low cost ways to reduce your electrical bill for agreeing to temporarily reduce electricity usage during peak hours. (866) 334-7827 www.sce.com/drp • Use Web-based tools such as SCE EnergyManagerSM Basic, SCE Cost Manager® and SCE Bill Manager® to monitor and track your electricity usage. (888) 462-7078 www.sce.com/energymanager • Save time. Use SCE’s Energy Management Online Application Tool. www.sceonlineapp.com

Recreation and Dance (member of the recreation section); the Louisiana Recreation and Park Association, Fred Hobdy Day committee; senator for the Grambling State University faculty senate; Boy Scouts committee; Technical Assistance committee; Eddie G. Robinson Museum committee; health, physical education and recreation peer review committee; health, physical education and recreation; library committee chair; Grambling State University service committee; Grambling State University College Fund/UNCF Infrastructure Development; Port City Therapeutic Recreation Fall Conference committee; Black Empowerment apprenticeship program; Department of Psychology and Sociology, Creating Alliance and Expanding Harrison’s TR in the New Mill; and the National Basketball Association Retired Players Association. James was recently inducted into the Northeast Louisiana Pro-Athlete Sports Gallery and the Louisiana Association Basketball

Coaches Hall of Fame. He has been a State Farm Bayou Classic honoree and has received the New Orleans Jazz Award. Named the 1970-71 Southwestern Athletic Conference freshman of the year, James finished his career as the 1974 national collegiate leader in scoring (32.1 ppg) and as the fourth All-Time leading scorer at Grambling with 2,251 points. He is a threetime All-Conference selectee (1972, 197 and 1974) and received All-America honors in both 1973 and 1974. James has given back to the community, serving as guest speaker at the Ruston Parks and Recreation Awards Banquet, guest speaker at the Rayville High School Athletic Awards Banquet, layman for the Liberty Hill Baptist Association basketball camp and active member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He is married to the former Abigail Joubert of Opelousas, LA, and has two children, Tiffani Brandice and Tharon Brandon.

Teen faces prison after sex doll prank goes awry INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — When 18-yearold Tyell Morton put a blow-up sex doll in a bathroom stall on the last day of school, he didn’t expect school officials to call a bomb squad or that he’d be facing up to eight years in prison and a possible felony record. The senior prank gone awry has raised questions of race, prosecutorial zeal and the post-Columbine mindset in a small Indiana town and around the country, The Indianapolis Star reported. Legal experts question the appropriateness of the charges against Morton, and law professor Jonathan Turley at George Washington University posed a wider question about Morton’s case on his legal blog: “The question is what type of society we are creating when our children have to fear that a prank (could) lead them to jail for almost a decade. What type of citizens are we creating who fear the arbitrary use of criminal charges by their government?” A janitor at Rushville Consolidated High School saw Morton run away from the school May 31, and security footage showed a person in a hooded sweatshirt and gloves entering the school with a package and leaving five minutes later without it, according to court documents. Administrators feared explosives, so they locked down the school and called police. K9 dogs and a bomb squad searched the building before finding the sex doll. “We have reviewed this situation numerous times,” Rush County Schools Superintendent John E. Williams told the newspaper last week. “When you have an unknown intruder in the building, delivering an unknown package, we come up with the same conclusion … We cannot be too cautious in this day and age.” Morton was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, and institutional criminal mischief, a felony that carries the potential of two to eight years in prison. “I know there has been plenty of pranks done at that school,” said Morton’s mother, Cammie Morton. “I went to that school. When I heard what they was charging him for, my heart just dropped.” Joel Schumm, a professor at the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, questioned the validity of the charges. “Their reaction is understandable, but use the school disciplinary process,” he said. “Don’t try to label the kid a felon for the rest of his life.” The Rush County Prosecutor Philip J. Caviness told The Associated Press that he doesn’t intend to seek a prison term for Morton, but said school officials acted appropriately and that the charges are warranted.“I’m pretty comfort-

able with the charges that we’ve filed,” he said. Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts focused on Morton’s case recently in his nationally syndicated column, suggesting that Morton’s case was another example of unfair treatment for a black youth without a wealthy family. Morton’s father brushed off that suggestion when Pitts asked him about it, and Morton’s mother declined to discuss that point with The Star. Morton’s attorney, Robert Turner, also downplayed race, suggesting that the size of the small blue-collar city an hour southeast of Indianapolis played a role. “I don’t think they do this sort of thing very often,” Turner said. “Had this happened in Indianapolis ... they would not have had this kind of charge filed.” Morton’s mother said Tyell Morton wants to attend college, but is worried about the case. “It’s stressful for Tyell,” Cammie Morton said. “He doesn’t know where his life is going to end up. He has been looking—I’ll just put it this way: He’s scared.”

AP Photo/Rush County Sheriff

In this photo provided July 5 by the Rush County Sheriff, Indiana, is Tyell Morton, 18. The Indianapolis Star reports that Morton faces eight years in prison for leaving a blow-up sex doll in a bathroom at Rushville Consolidated High School on the last day of school. The case is raising questions about the fairness of criminal charges against him.

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Remembering Gladys Gladys Wesson-Strickland made her transition on June 29 at CedarsSinai Hospital after a long illness. She was born on December 12, 1931, to John and Mary Stephens in Cleveland, OH. She attended Cleveland public schools, where she showed an aptitude for business. Her training in this field served her well throughout her long administrative career. She accepted Christ and was baptized at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Cleveland.

As a child, Gladys had a great interest in people and befriended many who crossed her path. In her teens and adult life, she was active in various social, professional and political organizations, such as the New Frontier Democratic Club, Mothers in Action and the 10th Council District Women’s Steering Committee. She was a cofounder of Women4Wesson. She could always be counted on to do more than was expected of her. She

Gladys Wesson-Strickland and Herb Wesson Jr.

‘PLANKING’ Continued from page 2

media. Some say the fad reminds them too much of African slaves, who had to lie in the same position for months during the “Middle Passage.” “It was just a really stupid, random thing to do,” Clarkson told the Australian newspaper. Other Australian kids took up the practice and, in 2007, a Facebook group was created. Plankers from Europe and America started to share their planking pictures on the group and, as it gained followers, the practice received worldwide attention. But participants found more risky places to lie face down, with one effort culminating in the death of a 20-yearold, who tried to plank off a balcony. The negative media attention from that incident increased as more began to link planking to slavery. “If you look at the pictures of the ships used in the Middle Passage, slaves used the planks as beds,” a report on news Website The Black Urban Times stated. According to the news site, plank collars, or wooden planks with five openings, were used as holding collars for five slaves. Commentator Daja Robinson on entertainment Web site thisis50.com called the practice a cruel reminder of the past. “This ‘game’ is another way to remind us that no matter how far we've come, we will always be a slave to our past,” Robinson said. “Not that deep to you? Just a game? Well, ask your grandparents how they feel about lying face down with their hands to their sides while you take a picture to laugh with your friends and post on Twitter for views.” In the book “The Slave Ship: A

Human History,” author Marcus Rediker details the workings of British and American slave ships during the 18th century. “Vessels in the slave trade needed to be sturdy and durable, so [the buyer] insisted both vessels be built with heavy ‘21/2 and 3-inch plank with good substantial bends or whales,’” Rediker wrote. The author described Oladuh Equiano’s Middle Passage as a “pageant of cruelty, degradation and death …The enslaved were spooned together in close quarters, each with about as much room as a corpse in a coffin,” he wrote. While the current practice of planking did not stem from undertones of slavery, Camillo Smith, a columnist with The Grio, called the position a “humiliation and confinement for African people during the Middle Passage” and referenced a passage from “Upon These Shores: Themes in the African-American Experience, 1600 to the Present,” which states: “Some ships had tiny bunks, really nothing more than shelves, on which slaves could recline; in others, the slaves lay side by side on the planking, rolling with the ship, bodies virtually touching, for weeks on end.”

Black Facts July 10, 1893 Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performs the world’s first openheart surgery on a young man named James Cornish. James was rushed to Provident Hospital in Chicago with a stab wound. Source: blackfacts.com

attracted people to her causes and some became lifelong supporters and friends. Gladys loved life, was independent and had a free and fun-seeking spirit. She enjoyed line- dancing and being with her friends. She especially delighted in family gatherings and activities. She married the late Herman Wesson and from that union, had two sons: Herb Jr. and Stephen. They lived in Cleveland, where she worked in the offices of the Cleveland Police Department. After some years, her family moved to Montclair, NJ, where she was a secretary at the Royal Globe Insurance Company and the East Orange Board of Education. After her sons ventured to California, she followed them and settled in Los Angeles. She worked at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for 25 years. She met Lethard Strickland at a line-dancing class, and they had been married for fifteen years at the time of her death. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Booker (Dorothy) and Robert; her sisters, Louise Brown (Oscar) and Jeanette Garrett (Calvin). She is survived by her husband, Lethard Strickland; sons, Herb and Stephen; daughter-in-law, Fabian; grandsons, Douglas, Patrick, Herb III and Justin; granddaughters, Sierra and Jessica Wesson and Candice Bouknight; great grandson, “Lil” P.J., and great granddaughter, Maileah, and

Lethard Strickland and Gladys Wesson-Strickland one on the way. She is also survived by her sisters, Helen Spears (Cleo) of Columbus, OH; Frieda Smith (Charles) of Montclair, NJ; and Barbara Huff of Atlanta, GA; and a brother, Gerald Stephens (Marilyn) of Cleveland; a devoted niece, Anita Thomas of Los Angeles, and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends. Celebration of Life Services

Notice For Gladys Wesson-Strickland 12/12/31 to 6/29/11 Will be held on Thursday, July 7 at 10:00 a.m. Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 323-731-7285

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Getting them back on their feet BY CHARLENE MUHAMMAD SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE FINAL CALL

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This past March, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a $14 million judgment that had accused New Orleans prosecutors of withholding evidence in order to help convict former death row inmate John Thompson of murder. He spent 18 years in prison—14 on death row. Thompson recently told The Final Call he was stunned but mostly saddened after the court’s 5-4 reversal. He could have walked out of prison and gone into seclusion. Instead, he reaches back every day by working to build Resurrection After Exoneration, a New Orleans, Louisiana-based program that helps men get back on their feet after incarceration.

“The whole thing was facilitated because of what guys had to do to put their lives back together coming home,” Thompson said. The program was initially created for men who were exonerated but eventually was broadened to include exoffenders generally. “I thought our state should have been responsible, held accountable, meaning help us put our lives back together too, but I’ve come home to find out it was the opposite. They didn’t really care about you putting your life together. Then I started reading and found out what happened to these other guys that had come home before me and it was a sad case. I couldn’t go that route,” Thompson told The Final Call. He explained that the sad fact is that most of the exonerated men are homeless, and some are even

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severely ill with no medical benefits. When he was freed in 1999, there was no compensation bill in place, he said. After regularly meeting with some of the men with whom he was imprisoned, discovering what they experienced and what it takes to survive on the outside, they decided to create their own house and program together, he said. The guidance of people like Norris Henderson, a longtime community activist who was also formerly incarceratAP Photo/Patrick Semansky ed, has helped to mold John Thompson shows his support for Resurrection After Exoneration, a program for those his life and make him a formerly incarcerated who, like he, need a place to call home after their imprisonment. fighter and a survivor during his younger years in prison, program has 22 enrollees, he said. love rather than a distraction from Graduates of their programs give the Supreme Court’s denial of his Thompson said. Part of the result has been back by donating 10 hours a year to award. He said he filed the lawsuit Resurrection After Exoneration, mentor someone else at the house. A in part for the other men left behind which runs out of a fully donated primary key is to help participants in Louisiana’s prisons and jails, to eight-bedroom, three-bathroom successfully resume their lives by give him and them hope that their home that is under renovation. It is making a way for them to become lives are valuable. “You gotta think about what fully equipped with two kitchens, a financially independent. Thompson received some lim- they told my family—that our syslarge den and huge backyard for a ited compensation from the state tem could take your father from you vegetable garden. The focus for the past three after his ordeal but most men don’t and punish him for 18 years and you can’t get nothing! To both of my years has been on men located in receive that, Henderson said. “That was a bad message the children, to my mom, I was a good Louisiana and Mississippi. To sustain the overhead and programs, Supreme Court sent—‘Ya’ll can do father. None of my children were Resurrection After Exoneration anything you want, put people on on welfare when I went to jail. I was plans to operate several independent death row, put people in jail, but no a hard worker and a little hustler too, now. I was no angel but I wasbusinesses, like its paralegal training harm, no foul,” Henderson said. For Thompson, the Resur- n’t no damn murderer either!” program, a computer silk screening company and a community space rection Program has been a labor of Thompson said. that it leases out. The men may stay at the house for up to six months to help them work their way back into society, coordinators said. During that time, they are offered a skill trade, such as BY ZENOBIA JEFFRIES the now infamous media takedown. SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM Kilpatrick successfully makes computer literacy. They are also THE MICHIGAN CITIZEN himself the subject—not the object—of given trauma treatment and counselhis story by giving personalized ing with social workers and psycholDETROIT — Until the lion tells accounts of his relationship and history ogists to help them readjust to living his story, the tale of the hunt will always with his chief of staff and friend outside of prison. glorify the hunter. Christine Beatty; his relationship with “Sometimes that is the biggest This African proverb has been a his administrative team and the metro hurdle—trying to readjust and reforunning theme for African Americans Detroit business community, contraccus on coming out of an abnormal since their existence in the New World. tors, his constituency; and the city he environment into a normal environIt’s no different today, especially for was born to love, Detroit. More imporment. You know, people fail to realformer Detroit Mayor Kwame tantly, Kilpatrick gets intimate about his ize how violent, how vicious inside a Kilpatrick. relationship with his family and his prison is,” Thompson said. Even with the crush of press wife in particular. So much so, Carlita “It’s one of the worst places, Kilpatrick has received since his Kilpatrick has a chapter “discussing” where your manhood is tested 24/7. entrance into public service almost a her husband and the scandal from her That means during the course of a decade ago, the disgraced mayor’s story point of view, an unusual dimension day or any given time you have to be had not yet been told in his own words. since the role of political spouses is on your defenses and it could mean Now, in his book, “Surrendered! The more often than not silence. life or death inside the prison and Rise, Fall and Revelation of Kwame The book is saturated with a you want me to just turn that switch Malik Kilpatrick,” which was released redemptive overtone that tends to relay last month, Kilpatrick finally gets to tell the renewed spiritual connection off when I come home,” he added. his story—“unreported, uneditorialized Kilpatrick has developed. It’s through Resurrection After Exoneration and uninterrupted.” this lens that he speaks to what hapis a space for those formerly incarWhat many remember most about pened to him, not declaring innocence cerated to come home without feelKilpatrick, the youngest person elected in his actions but the unfairness in how ing so isolated and ostracized as mayor in the nation’s history at age the events surrounding those actions because most have been in prison so 31, is that he lied on the stand during a were handled. long, their families are already gone, whistleblower lawsuit about an affair he Kilpatrick’s case—the whistleHenderson told The Final Call. had with his former chief of staff. That blower lawsuit brought against the city The program isn’t looking for a moment began his downfall. Since by current Detroit City Council Proprofit—only to put people to work, then, his name has become synony- Tem Gary Brown, who was a police Henderson continued. The commumous with scandal. officer at the time, and by another offinity garden will be used to produce In his book, Kilpatrick recounts cer—was not only tried in a court of and sell fresh herbs and vegetables not only what many remember in sound law, it was tried in the media, by the to the neighborhood. Development bites, but gives context to the buzz- media and for the media. He describes of a lawn care business is already words—sext messaging, pay-to-play, See KILPATRICK under way, and the paralegal training Navigator, Manoogian party—used in HAS HIS SAY, page 7

Kilpatrick has his say

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

KILPATRICK HAS HIS SAY Continued from page 6

this in detail: from the partnership Brown’s attorney and friend, Michael Stefani, had with The Detroit Free Press and its reporters to the judge’s change of ruling and court decorum—not only in the whistleblower case, but those that would follow. According to Kilpatrick, Stefani used another Executive Protection Unit (EPU) member’s lawsuit—separate from Brown’s—to spice up his own, which Kilpatrick says had grown “stale” after the attorney general’s “expensive investigation” on the car accidents turned up nothing and failed to interest anyone. That EPU member, Walt Harris, claimed Kilpatrick had him drive around the city so the former mayor could meet up with women to have sex with them. Kilpatrick called his stories “sexy” and “descriptive” and ones that apparently only Harris had witnessed. It was Harris’ statement that Kilpatrick and Beatty used their twoway pagers “all the time” that Kilpatrick notes changed the dynamics of the case “and the way it was reported.” It was this, he believes, that slowly switched the focus from “wrongful termination to sex, affairs and cover-ups.” Kilpatrick maintains in his book that Brown didn’t do the job he was asked to do. “And that’s why I took it from him,” he writes. “I’d never encountered the level of treachery that Gary Brown displayed and, to this day, I have no idea what I did to warrant it.” Kilpatrick recognizes his wrongdoing—the affair—throughout the book and there tends to be a consistent apologetic tone but it’s directed more to his wife and God. He also expresses remorse surrounding his role in Beatty’s hardship following the suit. It’s apparent when he mentions Beatty that there’s a friendship between the two that supersedes the “salacious nature” we’ve come to see, although he himself calls the exchanges “lewd.” To read Kilpatrick’s book only for the account of the scandal is not enough. It’s his description of the city’s business, contracts and the players involved that makes it a worthy read. There’s always been somewhat of an underlying question in the midst of the Kilpatrick scandal: Who the hell did he piss off to bring this level of scrutiny? This question could be answered in Kilpatrick’s account of visits by Detroit

attorney Reggie Turner on behalf of the area’s powerful Jewish community. Kilpatrick’s General Counsel Sharon McPhail angered many organizations when she set out to improve the placement rates for groups receiving Workforce Development funds. She required recipients to reapply for their funding and submit detailed strategies to improve placement rates. The Jewish Vocational Services, who received $25 million from the city in workforce funds, had only a two percent placement rate. They were cut. According to Kilpatrick, the February 2007 Savior’s Day, an important event for African Americans, at Ford Field with Nation of Islam national leader Louis Farrakhan was also an offense to the Jewish community. Another tension was the withdrawal of $90 million from Comerica Bank, which he believed was charging exorbitant fees, to place in First Independence, which happens to be the only bank in the city owned by African Americans. Comerica’s board members believed it was a slap in the face. Kilpatrick, with his in-your-face approach, boasts of the progress his administration made. Trash pickups,” new parks, new businesses downtown, are on this list. “I don’t think anybody understands it, but I do believe that the people in Detroit can truly see and feel the effects of people being in office who are not working as hard as we were,” the former mayor writes. Overall, Kilpatrick does attempt to fill in the blanks and the rather large gaps left by corporate media. He details the breakdown of his friendship with Derek Miller and the feeling of betrayal when Miller spent time with those Kilpatrick knew did not wish him well—one of those persons being former City Council member Shelia Cockrel. He points out the way in which Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy approached his case as a personal attack. He acknowledges those businessmen who helped him during the trials. He calls out those local and state politicians, some currently holding seats, who used him to further their own agendas—City Council member Ken Cockrel, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, and former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, to name a few. Kilpatrick reveals a flawed human being—one who shares a personal and personable story—his own.

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s upcoming book tells his side of the scandal that landed him in jail.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., center, with fellow Congressional Black Caucus members following a meeting with President Obama. From left, House Majority Whip James Clyburn of SC; Rep. Hank Johnson, D-GA; Lee; Rep. Charles Rangel, D-NY; and Rep. David Scott, D-GA.

Q&A with Rep. Barbara Lee, Congresswoman and AIDS Activist BY NICK CHILES SPECIAL TO THE NNPA Since her election in 1998 from Oakland’s 9th Congressional District, Barbara Lee, the first woman ever elected to represent that community, has been one of the most courageous and principled members of Congress. A former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Lee has never wavered in her consistent advocacy of HIV/AIDS issues, starting when she worked as a staff member for Rep. Ronald Dellums, the first African American congressperson from Northern California. Lee was a single mother of two on public assistance when she decided to attend college, eventually earning a Master of Social Work degree from the University of California at Berkeley before embarking on her political career. Lee, who is currently chairwoman of the CBC Task Force on Global HIV/AIDS, spoke with the Black AIDS Institute about her work. Q: What deciding moment occurred in your life that made you become committed to this issue? A: I first got involved in HIV/AIDS issues back in the mid1980s. I remember talking with some members of ACT-UP about the issue of needle exchange. And then I began participating in protests with people like John Iverson and Maudelle Shirek. When I got to the California State Legislature in the ’90s, I started working on legislation, and I continued the activism I picked up on the streets when I got to Washington, D.C. I really got involved in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS through my friend and predecessor, former Congressman Ron Dellums.

Together we came up with the idea to set up a trust fund at the World Bank to help finance what we called the AIDS Marshall Plan for Africa. This idea eventually became the framework for what we now know as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. From there our work grew and expanded, leading to the creation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the enactment of legislation to help orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in 2005, and the reauthorization of PEPFAR in 2008. And we’re not done yet. Q: What HIV-related activities are taking place in your district back home that you feel particularly strongly about? A: Just recently we held a planning meeting in Oakland to help develop the plan for the 2012 International AIDS Conference. The conference will be held here in the United States for the first time in more than two decades. I am proud to have played a big role in getting the HIV travel ban lifted in the United States so that we could actually host the 2012 conference here. Getting the ban lifted was a huge accomplishment—not just because we got rid of an archaic, unjust policy but also because we finally got rid of a major source of fear, stigma, and discrimination for people living with HIV/AIDS. I’m pleased that when President Obama came into office, he moved quickly to formalize regulations overturning the ban, and that the International AIDS Society chose to bring the conference back to the United States in 2012. Also, in my district, I have led efforts to establish a state of emergency for the HIV/AIDS epidemic and helped secure funding for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention groups in

Alameda County. And we’ve got much more work to do. Q: What needs to happen to end the epidemic in Black America? A: In our communities of color, it’s all about removing the stigma and getting our young people tested for HIV. It’s both a responsibility that we have to ourselves—to know our status and get tested—and a responsibility we have to our friends, our peers, and our partner. Knowledge is our best weapon to fight off this epidemic. I encourage people to get tested all the time. I’ve gotten tested myself on many occasions, and I’ve also encouraged and gotten many of my colleagues in Congress to get tested, too. Beyond getting tested, we’ve got to get real about sex education in this country. We’ve spent nearly $1.5 billion on so-called abstinence-onlyuntil-marriage programs over the last 15 years with little to show for it. Not only are these programs ineffective, but they fail to speak to the needs and realities facing our lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender youth. Q: What concerns do you have about how the challenges to health reform might affect people with HIV/AIDS? A: The Affordable Care Act is helping to further the goals of the National AIDS Strategy by prohibiting all insurance plans from putting lifetime caps on the dollar amount that they will spend on benefits. In the past, patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer or other chronic diseases ran the risk of hitting a lifetime cap and losing access to care. The law also restricts most insurance companies’ use of low annual dollar limits on benefits. The Affordable Care Act gives women the freedom from worrying about having their health insurance coverage dropped, denied or limited if they are, or someone in See BARBARA LEE, page 14

Thursday, July 7, 2011

By about 8:00 p.m. on July 4, the homeless man who stakes his claim by the Food 4 Less on Jeơerson and Western was privy to at least six fireworks shows coming from all directions. Residents in his West Adams neighborhood, along with the rest of the country, were in heavy celebration of Independence Day, the day in 1776 when America declared itself free from British tyranny. The homeless man is Black as are the other roughly 20 homeless on that block. Ironically, the situation in which he finds himself is somehow related to the festivities surrounding him. On this same day in 1776, America’s famous forefathers wrote, “All men are created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” This man’s forefathers, however, were the exceptions to that rule. What does Independence Day, more commonly referred to as 4th of July, mean to Black Americans? For some it has been relegated to the “just another holiday” pile, devoid of meaning, save for family gettogethers and drunken fun. Others, however, have definitely given the question some thought. “I feel that freedom should be for all races but [Black people] are still in slavery times,” said Jason Woods, an unemployed nurse here in Los Angeles, who was one of the mostly black people waiting at the Employment Development Department on Crenshaw and 54th. “A lot of things that America has said, like ‘All men are created equal’ [are] not so … [For instance,] you can go into a job interview with a suit and tie and have higher education but the first thing they (prospective employers) look at is your skin color. They will pick another race, whether it’s Chinese, Hispanic, Filipino …

F E AT U R E

who may have less credentials,” Woods explained. “Black Americans who want to succeed have to push higher than others just to be at their same level,” he said. Dr. Boyce Watkins, who penned the article “Do Black People Actually Have a Fourth of July? No, They Do Not … ” wrote: “For African Americans, we don’t quite have a true fourth of July. This is not only because the original Fourth of July took place while we were still slaves, but because we have not yet earned our independence. Of course, we obtained some semblance of freedom in 1865, after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation; but being free is far from being truly independent. Despite the fact that slavery ended long ago, the descendants of our historical oppressors still control nearly every dimension of our lives.”

Watkins went on to point out things like poor education, high unemployment, White control of major Black media outlets as keeping African Americans in continuous bondage. Recent Census Bureau statistics show Blacks comprise of about 15 percent of the nation’s population. About 25 percent of Blacks live below the poverty level as compared to eight percent of whites— and Blacks are more likely to die from heart

L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER

disease, diabetes, stroke and AIDS than Whites. Perhaps the most telling statistic is that in 2009 about 40 percent of the nation’s prison population was Black (Bureau of Justice). Prisoners make an ideal labor force as manufacturers, construction workers and farmers among other things. Jaron Brown of Urbanhabitat.org notes in his article “Rooted in Slavery: Prison Labor Exploitation” that there are currently 70 factories in California’s 33 prisons alone. “Prisoners are not protected by minimum wage laws or overtime, and are explicitly barred from the right to organize and collectively bargain,” Brown explained. He added that before the abolition of slavery there was no real prison system in America. Not everyone had a negative view of Blacks celebrating the holiday. As someone posed the question online, “Why do Blacks celebrate Independence Day? They didn’t get any freedom on July 4,” but several Blacks had an explanation. Some were cordial while others were indignant. “We is free now!!,” wrote one forum participant called “Kai.” “Do you say that about other people of color?

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Why do Blacks celebrate Independence Day? They didn’t get any freedom on July 4...

Asian, Hispanic, Native American, etc.? No. You didn’t. Why is it always about race with YOU people and dumping on African Americans? “Plus, if you know your history… many African Americans celebrate Juneteenth AKA Freedom Day or Emancipation on 6/19 to commemorate the freedom of our ancestors from bondage. Slavery ended on June 19, 1865. Black soldiers fought along with White soldiers in the Revolutionary War. We are American and the 4th of July is for all Americans, right? So we have the right to celebrate any American holiday any way we want. Tell me why should it matter?” Said another, “There were many Blacks who helped win our war for independence and contributed to the beginning of our nation. Our country is still a beacon of hope and freedoms for the all the world’s oppressed, and all citizens who love their country, whether new or old, Black or White, Christian or atheist, should have cause to celebrate. This is not a day for competing races or ideologies … ” Meanwhile, back at the Food 4 Less, none of it seemed to be an issue for many of the Blacks making beer runs and restocking party supplies. The night

was all about fun and excitement. Music around the neighborhood blasted, competing with the deafening explosions. Kids squealed with glee at the diơerent colors falling from the sky. “It’s just a holiday, ﬁreworks, stuơ like that,” said L.A. resident Sy Henry, who didn’t really celebrate the holiday except to spend time with his children. Abolitionist Frederick Douglass famously posed the question during an Independence Day speech in 1852. He then gave his famous answer: “[Your 4th of July] is a day that reveals to (the slave) more than all other days in the year the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour … ”

LAWT

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

BET exec takes blame for award mix-up SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS Stephen Hill, BET’s president of music programming, called a mix-up between America’s favorite ex-couple, which occurred at the network’s award show, a “human error.” During the BET Awards, which aired June 26, “106 & Park” hosts Rocsi and Terrence brought out contest winner Tiffany Greene to announce the Coca-Cola’s Viewer’s Choice Award. The show had replaced the traditional winner envelopes with tablet computers, and Greene was supposed to read the winner from the handheld computer. When she looked down at the tablet, she announced Chris Brown as the winner for the popular hip-hop single “Look at Me Now.” She then looked up at the teleprompter and saw “Rihanna,” and in a moment of confusion, then announced Rihanna as the winner. As both hosts and Greene paused

with puzzled faces, rapper/singer Drake emerged from backstage and said, “Well, this is awkward,” and accepted the award on behalf of the absent Rihanna for the chart-topping hit, “What’s My Name?” As the crowd mumbled in confusion, viewers were tweeting Tiffany Greene, who within seconds gained thousands of followers who she later tweeted: “Bawling backstage. They totally [expletive] me up.” Hill took full responsibility for the awkward gaffe and tweeted: “BET Awards Viewer’s Choice mixup was due to human error. And I was the human that made that error. I apologize to ALL affected.” At the conclusion of the ceremony, host Kevin Hart brought out Brown and told him he was the intended winner. Rihanna and Brown were a couple until Brown assaulted Rihanna in February 2009, an incident that resulted in graphic pictures of the injured woman circulating on the Internet.

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AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

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Soul singer Patti LaBelle will countersue over an airport scuffle SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS Soul singer Patti LaBelle is countersuing a West Point cadet who claims that she ordered her bodyguards to beat him up outside a Houston airport in March. In her suit, the R&B star claims the scuffle began after the cadet punched her son in the face and spewed racial slurs at her. According to The Associated Press, the incident occurred on March 11, when cadet Richard King, 23, was waiting to be picked up by his family at a terminal at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The young man alleged that shortly thereafter, three of LaBelle’s bodyguards attacked him for no reason. King’s suit was filed in early June and names LaBelle, her bodyguards, including her son and two others, as defendants. LaBelle’s countersuit, which was filed last week in Houston, claims that King was drunk and provoked her first at the terminal. “King directed profane and racial slurs towards LaBelle,” the suit said, according to The AP. “When LaBelle’s son [Zuri Edwards] heard the profanity and racial epithets, he informed King that the woman in the limousine was his mother. Without warning or provocation, King violently and deliberately punched Edwards in the face.” The suit also claims that LaBelle’s guards responded with a degree of necessary force. The

incident was caught on surveillance video and shows King talking on a cellphone, as one of LaBelle’s bodyguards pushed against him. Then, it appears as if King pushed the guard back, though his lawyers have contended that he was just protecting himself from a punch. The videotape has no audio. King’s attorney, John Raley, dismissed LaBelle’s suit, telling The Houston Chronicle that it was “the same false story they told the police … Thank goodness we have the surveillance videotape, which speaks volumes, and neutral eye-

witnesses, who will testify that Richard was brutally assaulted without provocation,” Raley told The Houston Chronicle. While Raley said his client did have a few drinks prior to the incident, he says the young man was not inebriated. Police did report smelling alcohol on King’s breath but could not provide specific details of the actual incident. Following the altercation, King was suspended from West Point for at least a year, and he was ordered to go on active duty. Both suits are seeking unspecified damages.

AP Photo/Jeff Christensen

Houston, we have a problem: LaBelle vs. a West Point cadet.

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Sights & Scenes Celebs attending the Belvedere VIP Lounge at the 2011 Essence Music Festival. Located backstage, the lounge attracted dozens of VIPs, including artists performing at the festival. Celebs include singer/actress Naturi Naughton (NBC’s “The Playboy Club”); actress Garcelle Beauvais (TNT’s “Franklin & Bash”); actor Terry Crews (TBS’ “Are We There Yet?”); actors Boris Kodjoe and Carl Anthony Payne; singers Dwele and Noel Gourdin; and rapper Slim Thug. Additionally, singer/actress Letoya Luckett ( HBO’s “Treme”) participated in the Charity Celeb Bartending Challenge with socialite and Belvedere Ambassador Bevy Smith, creating the official drink of the festival—“The Belve Peach Essence”—contributing donations from Photos by Belvedere Vodka the challenge to The Red Cross of New Orleans.

Terry Crews and Rebecca Crews

Letoya Luckett

Noel Gourdin

Garcelle Beauvais

Boris Kudjoe

Naturi Naughton

Taraji P. Henson gets ‘crowned’ BY DARLENE DONLOE SENTINEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Cranston. The movie, written by Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) and Hanks, who also produced and directed it, is currently There is something about Taraji P. in theaters nationwide. Henson. “Larry Crowne” is a comedy about a man, Not only has she quickly become one of played by Hanks, who is fired from his job and Hollywood’s little darlings, she is one of its who enrolls at a community college. Roberts most sought-after actresses—so much so that and Star Trek’s Takei star as two of his teachshe now gets requests from A-listers to star in ers. their movies. “I’m not in it much, but I don’t care,” said That was the case surrounding Henson’s Henson. “Tom Hanks called me personally, latest film, “Larry Crowne,” starring Tom and you don’t say ‘no’ to Tom Hanks.” Henson Hanks, Julia Roberts, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, stars opposite Cedric the Entertainer as a marCedric the Entertainer, Pam Grier, Wilmer ried couple who make their living running a Valderrama, George Takei and Bryan garage sale on their front lawn—everyday! “Most of my scenes ended up on the cutting room floor,” said Henson, who, at one time, was known for conducting her own personal garage sales. “Tom, you owe me.” Henson, who graduated from Howard University with a degree in theater arts, has shared the screen with some of Hollywood’s finest, including Don Cheadle (in “Talk to Me”); Terrence Howard (in “Hustle and Flow”); Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven and Ryan Reynolds (in “Smokin’ Aces”); Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson and Andre Benjamin (in “Four Brothers”); Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Cole Hauser and Rockmond Dunbar (in “Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys”); and John Larroquette (in “Boston Legal”). She played the role of Brad Pitt’s character’s adoptive mother in “The Curious Case of Benjamin AP Photo/Matt Sayles Button,” and for her work, she Cast member Taraji P. Henson arrives at the premiere of received a best supporting actress

“Larry Crowne” in Los Angeles.

See HENSON, page 12

UNIVERSALPICTURES AND VENDÔMEPICTURES PRESENT A PLAYTONE PRODUCTION A TOM HANKS FILM TOMHANKS JULIA ROBERTSMUSIC “LEXECUTIVE ARRYCROWNE” BRYAN CRANSTON CEDRIC THEENTERTAINER TARAJI P.HENSON GUGU MBATHA-RAW WILMERVALDERRAMA PAMGRIWRITTEN ER BY JAMESNEWTONHOWARD PRODUCED PRODUCERS PHILIPPEROUSSELET STEVEN SHARESHIAN JEB BRODY FABRICE GIANFERMI DAVID COATSWORTH BY TOMHANKS GARY GOETZMAN BY TOMHANKS AND NIA VARDALOS DIRECTED AUNIVERSALRELEASE BY TOMHANKS SOUNDTRACK ON RHINO THIS FILM CONTAINS DEPICTIONS OF TOBACCO CONSUMPTION

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Union: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Adequate basisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to SPORTS BEAT question NBA financials BY BRAD PYE JR

Notes, quotes and things picked up on the run from coast-to-coast and all the stops in between and beyond.

AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

NBA union chief Billy Hunter speaks with reporters after a three-hour meeting with the NBA. BY BRIAN MAHONEY AP BASKETBALL WRITER NEW YORK (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The NBA Playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association says the league has made inaccurate financial projections before, a day after a report questioned whether the league indeed lost money two seasons ago. Though the league says it lost $340 million in 2009 and 2010, a New York Times blog post Tuesday titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Calling Foul on NBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Claims of Financial Distressâ&#x20AC;? called the league â&#x20AC;&#x153;fundamentally a healthy and profitable business,â&#x20AC;? with an estimated operating income of $183 million that season. Union spokesman Dan Wasserman says the NBA projected a decline in revenues that season but they actually rose, so the final losses should have been much less than the league said. â&#x20AC;&#x153; â&#x20AC;Ś So yes, we feel there is more than adequate basis for questioning their projections and financials,â&#x20AC;? Wasserman said recently.

Goodbye, Frank. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you know, like Commissioner Bud Selig, that your fellow owners and the fans donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want you anymore? Go! Get lost. Get a job and stop buying luxury homes. You arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t needed or wanted anymore. Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in Major League baseball in modern times, Branch Rickey and Walter F. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Malley and the last Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Malley, Peter Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Malley (Walterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son), to own the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most storied franchises, are turning over in their graves haunting you for the way you have messed up one of the greatest franchises in all of sports. Go away, Frank; go away nowâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;right now. The team is in last place at the moment. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where you areâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; last place in the hearts of true baseball fans around the world, though not in the hearts of the few Black preachers who held a recent press conference in support of you. Please, Frank, say goodbye. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you know these people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t love you and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want you around anymore? Go Frank! Go right now. The Los Angels Dodgers are cellar dwellers, but they still placed two members on the July 12 All-Star Game in Phoenixâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;centerfielder Matt Kemp and pitcher Clayton Kereshaw. Ditto for the L.A. Angels of Anaheimâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Jered Weaver and Howie Kendricksâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;who are first timers. The New York Yankeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Derek Jeter came back after a long layoff on the Fourth of July, but he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t provide any fireworks. He actually went 04 in his quest to join the 3,000 hit club Monday. Jeter is still six short of the mark.

HENSON

Continued from page 11 Academy Award nomination. Thus far in her career, Henson considers it her greatest achievement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting the Oscars,â&#x20AC;? said Henson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what every actor gets into the business for.â&#x20AC;? That wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the first time Henson, 39, made an appearance at the Oscars. At the 2005 ceremony, she sang â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hard Out Here For A Pimpâ&#x20AC;? from the film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hustle & Flow.â&#x20AC;? Over the years, Henson, who is from Washington, D.C., has methodically built a solid list of credits starting with a stint on television (â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Divisionâ&#x20AC;?) before getting her big break as the female lead in John Singletonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2001 film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Baby Boy.â&#x20AC;? Since that time, her film career has blossomed. Last summer she starred in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Karate Kid,â&#x20AC;? playing Jaden Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mom. Hensonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own son Marcel is about to graduate from high school. She also appeared in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Date Nightâ&#x20AC;? with Tina Fey and Steve Carell and in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tyler Perryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s I Can Do Bad All by Myself.â&#x20AC;? Other credits include â&#x20AC;&#x153;Something Newâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hair Show.â&#x20AC;? Up next is the dark drama, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Good Doctor,â&#x20AC;? opposite Orlando Bloom. She is also set for the lead role in the upcoming film, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Think Like a Man,â&#x20AC;? based on Steve Harveyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular book, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Act Like a Lady Think Like A Man â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the role I chose

because sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the pretty girl,â&#x20AC;? said Henson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They wanted me to be the one to date the Baby Boy [character.] I want the pretty girl, the powerhouse. I said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;If I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that, I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; They said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ok, you got it.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Other projects include: â&#x20AC;&#x153;From the Rough,â&#x20AC;? based on a true story. Henson plays a college coach trying to build up the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golf team. Also, this fall, the petite actress will return to television, where she will play Detective Carter, a woman trying to discover the mysterious identity of a presumed dead former-CIA agent named Reese in the CBS drama â&#x20AC;&#x153;Person of Interest,â&#x20AC;? which stars Jim Caviezel (from â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Passion of the Christâ&#x20AC;?) as the former agent. The show, written by Jonah Nolan, centers on Reese (Caviezel), who teams up with a software genius (Michael Emerson from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lostâ&#x20AC;?) to identify people about to be involved in violent crimes. The two work together, outside of the law, to uncover who each potential criminal is and stop the crime before it happens. Once again, Henson was sought after. Reportedly, Nolan called Henson and said he wanted to work with her. Although it may look like Henson has a lot on her plate, she said she is selective when it comes to the projects she accepts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not pas-

sionate about it, I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take jobs just to take jobs.â&#x20AC;? Although sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a solid actress with an impressive list of credits, Henson said she still faces challenges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a challenge,â&#x20AC;? said Henson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always proving yourself. I'm a better comic actress instead of a dramatic actress. People see your work and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see beneath it. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get called for glamorous roles. I love challenges, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all good.â&#x20AC;? Henson takes her profession seriously. She offers advice to young people hoping to make it in the business: â&#x20AC;&#x153;People, please study the craft â&#x20AC;Ś Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a craft and it has to be studied. If you want to get where I am, you have to study your craft.â&#x20AC;? As hard as she works, Henson does try to make time for a personal life. But, right now the single actressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; focus is on her son, Marcel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I'm very protective of my son,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to be careful and protect him. The only way he will learn to respect women is to respect his mother. So I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have men as a revolving door in my life. I want real love. If that means being single the rest of my life â&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Larry Crowneâ&#x20AC;? (Universal Pictures) is rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual content. Running time: 99 minutes.

AP Photo/Tom Gannam

Quite a feat for Anthony Robles of Arizona State, who defeated Northwesternâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brandon Precin. World-famous tenor saxophonist Clarence Clemons (6â&#x20AC;&#x2122;4â&#x20AC;? and 193 pounds), a member of Bruce Springsteenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s E-Street Band, was a football star at Maryland State, which is known today as Eastern Shore. Oakland Raiders Hall of Famer Art Shell is a product of Eastern Shore. Clemons died June 18 at age 69. Clemons had a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs. The so-called Big Man and Springsteen were virtually inseparable after they met on a stormy night in 197l at a bar in Asbury, NJ. The L.A. Dodgers are battling the San Diego Padres for a place in the basement of the NL West. Nevertheless, centerfielder Matt Kemp is vying for the NLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MVP award. Before the All-Star break, Kemp had 22 homers, 21 stolen bases, a .336 batting average and 62 RBIs. And the beat continuesâ&#x20AC;Ś The Williams sistersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Venus and Serenaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;were blown out at Wimbledon in the fourth rounds. However, many observers are predicting the Williams sisters will come blazing back with chips on their shoulders at the U.S. Open in August at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Reid Cherner of USA Today writes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The tennis world is so much better with them (the Williams sisters) in it. When they are scary good, the sport sizzles. Arizona Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one-legged (he was born without a right leg) wrestling star Anthony Robles won the NCAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 125- pound title with a 36-0 report card. Robles will be the recipient of the Jimmy V.Valvano Award for Perseverance on July 13 here in Los Angeles at the ESPY ceremony. Robles graduated in May with a degree in Business Communications. Teresa Edwards, four-time Olympic Games gold medal winner and an assistant coach with Coach Nolan Richardsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WNBA Tulsa Shocks, has a new job today. Edwards was named the chef de mission for the USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2012 Olympic team. In this role Edwards will be Team USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liaison with local organizations as well as national and international Olympic officials at the 2012 Games. Tiger Woods is back in action in Japan as a pitchman for a Japanese heat rub used to relieve muscle and joint pain. The TV commercial with Woods will debut in Japan this month. Tiger

hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t played golf since May 12, when he withdrew after nine holes from the PGA Championship with knee and Achilles injuries. Tiger is expected to return to action later this month. Check signals: Allyson Felix, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest 200-meters champion at the moment, is no longer a student at USC. She graduated in 2007 without competing on the Trojan track team. And the beat ends. Brad Pye, Jr. can be reached at Switchreel@aol.com.

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Hit the links with Byron Scott Byron Scott’s foursome took home first prize at last year’s tournament. BY JASON LEWIS SENTINEL SPORTS EDITOR JASONL@LASENTINEL.NET Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott feels good the home. Being away from family can be rough, but so can finding a good golf course in Cleveland. Scott said that his golf game is okay right now, but he does not get to practice as much as he’d like to when he is away from home. When he is in town, he hits up his favorite courses. “There are a number of courses that I love to play out here,” Scott said. “Trump Nationals is a course that I love. Palos Verdes Country Club is another course that I play at. Riviera. There are not too many golfers who would not love to play there. Those are really the three major ones that I like to play at. I try not to play the same ones, so I try to get around.” Scott is teeing up at the Mountain Gate Country Club on July 11 for the 2nd Annual Frank Nelson Fund Celebrity Golf Classic. Registered players will get some green time with Scott, and a gift bag, dinner, open bar, and they will attend an awards ceremony. Last year Scott’s foursome took home the 1st place trophy. “I know everybody wants to win but we also have to understand that what we’re doing is for a great cause,” Scott said. “I always want to go out there and have a good time with the actors who are there.” The event will kick off at 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast and registration. California Pizza Kitchen will be on hand to provide food, and Miller Light and Coors Light will provide beverages. There will also be a chance to win a 2012 XL Jaguar from Galpin Motors. The main purpose of the event is to raise funds for the American Federation of Television and Radio

Join Byron Scott at the 2nd Annual Frank Nelson Fund Celebrity Golf Classic Artists (AFTRA). The AFTRA Foundation provides emergency financial aid to AFTRA members. Last year's golf tournament raised more than $30,000 for the fund. Scott will be sure to tune up his game a little before Monday’s tournament. “I like to spend time with my family once I get back in L.A. for the first couple of weeks before I hit the links,” Scott said. “I’m not sure how long this lockout will be, but I’m sure I’ll have a chance to get enough golf in.” Golf may be Scott’s game of choice nowadays, but years ago, he was an Inglewood legend before he became a star player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a big sports fan growing up, when he rooted for the Lakers, Dodgers, and at the time, the Los Angels Rams. At times he snuck into the Forum to watch the Lakers play. While at Morningside High School, Scott starred in basketball, baseball and football. “God blessed me with great talents,” Scott said. “Growing up I had great speed, great hands. I could jump, I could run. On the basketball court I had pretty much unlimited range shooting the ball. I could pretty much jump over people. On the football field I was fast enough to get away from people. I had a great arm when I was running away from people. In baseball, I pitched. Even with that type of talent, you have to have a great work ethic, and my work ethic was second to none.” It was tiring for Scott to play that many sports in high school, but his parents made sure that he still hit the books, which paid off in the long run. “I knew I had to do it to make sure that I stayed eligible to play sports and have an opportunity to go to college,” Scott said. After high school, Scott played at Arizona State, See BYRON SCOTT, page 15

City defends independence on NFL stadium negotiations LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Los Angeles officials defended the city's independence and transparency today in the process of negotiating with Anschutz Entertainment Group about the developer’s plan to build a $1.35 billion NFL stadium and new convention center hall downtown. During a packed meeting of the City Council committee charged with vetting AEG’s proposal, council members refuted attacks that the city is not in control of the negotiations. Members of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Proposed Downtown Stadium and Events Center repeatedly stressed that they had discussed all of the city's negotiating points publicly. “There are no backroom deals,” Councilman Ed Reyes said. Committee Chair Jan Perry reviewed the city’s negotiating points, including a commitment that no public money would be spent on the stadium and that a bond that would pay for part of the development would be guaranteed by AEG. The developer wants to build a new $1 billion NFL football stadium on the existing site of the West Hall of the city's convention center. The developer has proposed building a new conventional hall that would be paid for by more than $300 million in city-issued bonds, which AEG would cover through tax revenues from the new development or out of the company’s own pocket. Officials argued that the West Hall of the convention center is decades old, in bad need of repair and makes the city uncompetitive in attracting lucrative conventions. “The point of this is not to get a football team,” said Chief Legislative Analyst Gerry Miller, who is the city’s lead negotiator on the proposal. “The point of this is to leverage a football team and a stadium to generate economic activity and generate money we don’t have today to fix a convention center that has to be fixed. We’ve got to fix it one way or another.”

AP Photo/AEG

A proposed NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles would be called “Farmers Field” under a 30-year naming-rights deal between developer AEG and Farmers Insurance Exchange. Miller told the committee that the city is making progress in the negotiations but that there are three sticking points that have significant effects on how the deal is financed. He said negotiations are taking place weekly and sometimes more often, and that he is hopeful he will be able to present an agreement to the city by the end of July. AEG Chief Executive Officer Tim Leiweke has threatened to walk away from the project if a memorandum of understanding that would lay out the basics of an agreement between the city and AEG is not signed by July 31. The committee discussed the cost and feasibility of holding public meetings outside of City Hall and outside of normal business hours. A legislative analyst said the meetings could cost as little as $525 or as much as $3,000 if the committee wanted the event broadcast live. The city’s chief engineer, Gary Lee Moore, and Convention Center general manager Pouria Abbassi, discussed the selection this week of the architectural firm Populous to design the new convention center hall. Councilman Bill Rosendahl, the

committee’s vice chair, wanted to know why AEG selected the architect instead of the city. Pouria said he and Moore represented the city in interviewing seven architects that specialize in convention centers with AEG and called it an “extremely collaborative process.” The committee listened to public comments from more than 20 speakers. Representatives from the business community, labor groups and downtown development associations expressed support for the project and asked the committee to work hard to make it happen on time. Central City Association Vice President of Legislative Affairs Ann Williams told the committee that the south section of downtown was deserted and was nothing before the development of the area in the late 1990s. She said the proposed football stadium project would reverberate benefits through more of downtown and adjacent neighborhoods. “Staples Center and LA Live turned the lights on downtown, and building a major events center here would light up all of Los Angeles,” she said.

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Ladies, it’s not just you! Globally – we’re all stressed! BY CHERYL PEARSON-MCNEIL NNPA COLUMNIST So ladies, I’m sure if you’re like me and any of the women I know personally, you have been running hither and yon to keep all of your hats—home, work, parents, children, finances and relationships—in

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil the air all at once. And sometimes, you find yourself wondering, “Is it just me? Am I the only one feeling like I’m an exotic juggling act in the three-ring circus of life trying to keep all these things balanced?” Well, shout hallelujah and signal the ringmaster to shine the spotlight on you in the center ring, because the answer is a resounding no! You are not alone! Nielsen’s latest comprehensive report— “Women of Tomorrow: A Study of Women Around the World”— confirms that women around the globe are feeling pressure like never before and are stressed! Nielsen is known for its measurement capabilities and for analyzing consumer behavior and trends in media, online, mobile and more around the globe. We recently conducted this study among nearly 6500 women in 21 countries throughout Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America, representing 60 percent of the world’s population and 78 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We

included women in both developed markets—like ours—and several emerging markets like India and Nigeria. Some of the key findings: Ninety percent of women believe their role is evolving for the better from gender equality to workplace opportunities. Women control $12 trillion in global spending of $18 trillion, but want to share jointly in life responsibilities and decision-making. While women are indeed increasingly empowered, we are increasingly stressed. Whoop! There it is! Call your girlfriends and tell them “Girl, it’s official! Women everywhere around the world report being pressured for time, rarely have the time to unwind; feel stressed and overworked most of the time. And yes, want just a tad bit of help from the fellas time to time. It is NOT just us!” How we cope with stress varies between developed and emerging markets. Our sisters in emerging countries are often faced with maintaining every day basics like food and clothing. The percentage of their household income spent on food is staggering. In Nigeria, for example, 40 percent of household spending is on food, vs. 7 percent in the U.S. So if women in emerging countries found themselves with any additional dollars, it would go toward savings, clothes and education. Women in developed countries like ours are more likely to use extra cash for luxuries like vacations, savings and paying off debt. In conducting this research, women were divided into three segments—daughters (average age, 30), mothers (average age, 47) and grandmothers (average age, 67). The high-stress factor is universal, but it breaks down generationally. The “daughter” generation is the most stressed. This stands to reason as this woman’s family is young and she has not likely achieved her full earning potential. Among “mothers” the stress is mid-level. Makes sense because by the average age of 47, income levels are (usually) higher; but finances are still cause for concern. Lastly, “grandmothers” are the least-stressed segment. Perhaps not surprisingly, grandmothers are also most likely to believe that they have successfully achieved that delicate

BARBARA LEE Continued from page 7

their family is, in an accident or becomes sick. In addition, the law recognizes that women have unique health care needs, and are often the health care decision-makers in their households, by offering important benefits to women. The law also prevents discrimination against women in health care pricing so they will pay the same rate as men for coverage, and we are working to ensure

that the free preventive services provided to women include contraceptives. So we cannot allow opponents of health reform to tear down the progress that we have made in addressing the challenges of HIV/AIDS in our communities. Nick Chiles is a Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist. He’s also coauthor, with gospel superstar Kirk Franklin, of the New York Times bestseller “The Blueprint.”

work-life balance. Fellas, I think the most notable take-away from this study for you is that women would like to share more male/female responsibilities. We may be doing it all but would love to have a little more help from you. Umm hmm, did you hear that? Ladies, they may have missed that point, so if you want to cut this column out and post it up on the fridge for those times when you need a little back up, feel free. Guys don’t

like arguing with you, let alone taking on women from 21 countries and arguing in multiple languages! (You should highlight the multiple languages part). Consider this, ladies: If, based on our global spending power of $12 trillion, we were our own country (and lord knows there are times we wish we were, don’t we?), we’d be about the size of the United States (based on GDP). That’s a lot of power. So, there’s no doubt that

you and I and our sisters across the globe are agents of change. Can you imagine how much more powerful we’d be if we got a little more support on the home front? So, when’s the last time you actually asked for the help you need? I’m just sayin’. Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies, go to www.nielsenwire.com.

Michele Bachmann: The John Wayne of political lies BY GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA COLUMNIST Whether making the round of Sunday morning talk shows, giving the Tea Party response to President Obama’s State of the Union address, or announcing her own presidential candidacy, Michele Bachmann does one thing consistently—lie. The Republican congresswoman from Minnesota, who has been described as Sarah Palin with a brain, has enjoyed a dramatic rise in public opinion polls following the latest debate among GOP candidates seeking the party’s presidential nomination. But Bachmann’s comments are a reminder of the adage: Figures can lie and liars can figure. Here are some of the most egregious examples: BACHMANN [on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” June 26]: The Congressional Budget Office estimated Obamacare will cost economy 800,000 jobs, probably the— HOST BOB SCHIEFFER: Again, that is data that other people would question. BACHMANN: That’s—Well, that’s what the Congressional Budget Office, that’s not Michele Bachmann, that’s Congressional Budget Office figures say that we’re—we have the potential of losing 800,000 jobs. FACTS: As Factcheck.org noted, “The CBO didn’t say that. Instead the CBO said that the law would cause a reduction in the amount of labor workers choose to supply. Some Americans would decide to work fewer hours or retire earlier because their ability to get health insurance would be more secure. And lowincome workers would receive subsidies to purchase insurance, putting more money into their pockets. Overall, the CBO said the impact on jobs would be ‘small.’” BACHMANN [on Jan. 25 in the Tea Party’s response to the State of the Union address]: Unfortunately, the president’s strategy for recovery was to spend a trillion dollars on a failed stimulus program, fueled by borrowed money…Not only did that plan fail to deliver, but within three months the national jobless rate spiked to 9.4 percent. And sadly, it hasn’t been lower for 20 straight months. While the government grew, we lost more than 2 million jobs. Let me show you a chart.

Here are unemployment rates over the past 10 years. In October 2001, our national unemployment rate was 5.3 percent. In 2008 … it was just 6.6 percent. But, just eight months after President Obama promised lower unemployment, that rate spike to a staggering 10.1 percent. FACTS: The watchdog group Media Matters, on its politicalcorrection.org site, stated: “From December 2007 to July 2009—the last year of the Bush second term and the first six months of the Obama presidency, before his policies could affect the economy—private sector employment crashed from 115,574,000 jobs to 107,778,000 jobs. Employment continued to fall, however, for the next six months, reaching a low of 107,107,000 in December of 2009. So, out of 8,467,000 private sector jobs lost in this dismal cycle, 7,796,000 of those jobs or 92 percent were lost on the Republican watch or under their policies. Some 671,000 additional jobs were lost as the stimulus and other moves by the administration kicked in, but 630,000 jobs came back in the following six months. The tally, to date: Mr. Obama can be held accountable for the net loss of 41,000 jobs (671,000630,000), while the Republicans should be held responsible for the net losses of 7,796,000 jobs.” BACHMANN [in the Tea Party’s State of the Union response]: But instead of cutting, we saw an unprecedented explosion of government spending and debt, unlike anything we have seen in the history of our country. Deficits were unacceptably high under President Bush, but they exploded under President Obama’s direction, growing the national debt by an astounding $3.1 trillion dollars. FACTS: The rising debt can be attributed to Bush-era policies and the recession that began before Obama took office. As the conservative Washington Times observed, “The Congressional Budget Office announced a projected fiscal 2009 deficit of $1.2 trillion even if Congress doesn’t enact any new programs … About the only person who was silent on the deficit projection was Mr. Bush, who took office facing a surplus but who saw spending balloon and the country notch the highest

George Curry deficits on record.” BACHMANN [in a Tea Party response]: We need to start making things again in this country. And we can do that by reducing the tax and regulatory burden on job creators. America will have the highest corporate tax rate in the world. Think about that. FACTS: Researchers at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities have thought about it and what they realize is that to grasp the corporate tax burden, one needs to look beyond statutory tax rates to the effective tax rate, which takes into account tax deductions. Judging by that standard, the Center notes, “The U.S. corporate tax burden is smaller than average for developed countries. Corporations in 19 of the member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development paid 16.1 percent of their profits in taxes between 2000 and 2005, on average, while corporations in the United States paid 13.4 percent.” Appearing on Fox News after officially declaring her candidacy for president, Bachmann said on June 27: “What I want them to know is, just like John Wayne is from Waterloo, Iowa. That’s the kind of spirit that I have too.” John Wayne wasn’t from Waterloo. He was born in Winterset, Iowa, and grew up in California. Bachmann apparently got John Wayne mixed up with another John Wayne – John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer who was from Waterloo. George E. Curry, former editorin-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service, is a keynote speaker, moderator and media coach. He can be reached through his Website, www.georgecurry.com You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge.

www.lawattstimes.com 15

Thursday, July 7, 2011 Trustee Sale No. CA09000928-11-1 APN 6067-010-042 Title Order No. 53000994 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED July 26, 2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On July 18, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on August 8, 2007, as Instrument No. 20071864696, of Official Records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA, executed by LEOPOLDO GUTIERREZ A SINGLE MAN, as Trustor(s), in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 2101 E 112TH ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90059 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest Theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $311,199.17 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: June 14, 2011 TRUSTEE CORPS TS No. CA09000928-11-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Paul Gutierrez, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #13327 2011-06-23 2011-06-30 2011-07-07 T.S. No.: AF11-118 Loan No.: Church of Greater Works NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 5/23/2005. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier's check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. Trustor: Church of Greater Works, Inc., a Non-Profit Religious Corporation Duly Appointed Trustee: AMERICAN FORECLOSURE SERVICES Recorded 6/9/2005 as Instrument No. 05-1347588 in book , page of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, Date of Sale: 7/27/2011 at 10:30 AM Place of Sale: AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE TO THE NORTHRIDGE BRANCH OF THE LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY, 9051 DARBY AVENUE, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91325 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $78,199.00 Street Address or other common designation of real property: 523 East Washington Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90044 A.P.N.: 5127-020-028 & 5127-020-029 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. Date: 6/30/2011 SECTION 1692(E): THIS COMMUNICATION IS WITH A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE AMERICAN FORECLOSURE SERVICES 9016 White Oak Avenue Northridge, California 91325 (818) 781-9800 Sale Line: 714-573-1965 / Los Angeles County Sales only: 818-781-9800 Kim Kaufman, Trustee Sales Officer Ad #13453 2011-06-30 2011-07-07 2011-07-14 2011-07-21 Trustee Sale No. CA09003584-10-1 APN 6006-001-020 Title Order No. 4910405 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED December 20, 2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On July 25, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on January 4, 2007, as Instrument No. 20070017256, of Official Records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA, executed by MANUEL ARMANDO HENRIQUEZ AND ELENA HENRIQUEZ, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS, as Trustor(s), in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 115 EAST 59TH PLACE, LOS ANGELES AREA, CA 90262 The undersigned Trustee disclaims

any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest Theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $357,134.78 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: June 23, 2011 TRUSTEE CORPS TS No. CA09003584-10-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Rowena Paz, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #13487 2011-06-30 2011-07-07 2011-07-14 T.S. No.: 11-00801 Loan No.: 1421446855 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 8/29/2008. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier's check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. Trustor: Mousa Namvar, a married man as his sole and separate property Duly Appointed Trustee: Stewart Default Services Recorded 9/5/2008 as Instrument No. 20081604438 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, Date of Sale: 7/27/2011 at 1:00 PM Place of Sale: at the front entrance to the Pomona Superior Courts Building 350 West Mission Blvd., Pomona, CA Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $5,816,884.42 Street Address or other common designation of real property: 516 North Carmelina Avenue Los Angeles, California 90049 Legal Description: LOT 2 OF TRACT NO. 12682, IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 263 PAGES 15 AND 16 OF MAPS, IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF SAID COUNTY. A.P.N.: 4405-002-002 Notice of Trustee Sale - continued The beneficiary or servicing agent declares that it has obtained from the Commissioner of Corporations a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to California Civil Code Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date the Notice of Sale is filed and/or the timeframe for giving Notice of Sale specified in subdivision(s) of California Civil Code Section 2923.52 applies and has been provided or the loan is exempt from the requirements. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. Date: 6/24/2011 Stewart Default Services Olesya Williams, Foreclosure Specialist If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. Ad #13557 2011-06-30 2011-07-07 2011-07-14 Trustee Sale No. CA09003794-10-1 APN 6005-002-017 Title Order No. 4940914 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED May 21, 2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On August 1, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on May 30, 2007, as Instrument No. 20071296675, of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, executed by JESUS S FERNANDEZ A SINGLE MAN AND SERAPIA CARCAMO A SINGLE WOMAN AS JOINT TENANTS, as Trustor(s), in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 318 W 63 RD PLACE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90003 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $318,862.68 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association,

savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: June 28, 2011 TRUSTEE CORPS TS No. CA09003794-10-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Rowena Paz, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #13569 2011-07-07 2011-07-14 2011-07-21 Trustee Sale No. CA09001588-10-1 APN 6083-003-016 Title Order No. 100528715-CA-LPI NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED April 25, 2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On August 2, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on May 1, 2007, as Instrument No. 20071045044, of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, executed by ERMINIO MUNOZ, A MARRIED MAN, AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, as Trustor(s), in favor of Mortgage Electronics Registration Systems, Inc as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 212 -212 1/2 EAST LANZITAVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90061 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $407,395.97 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: June 28, 2011 TRUSTEE CORPS TS No. CA09001588-10-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Paul Gutierrez, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #13570 2011-07-07 2011-07-14 2011-07-21 Trustee Sale # CA0960419-2 Loan# 159093402 Order # 4308610 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 04/02/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 08/01/2011 at 1 :00PM, MTC FINANCIAL INC., dba TRUSTEE CORPS as the duly appointed Substituted Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 04/13/2007 as Document No. 20070889049 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CALIFORNIA, executed by, LOURDES MORALES, A MARRIED WOMAN AS HER SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, as Trustor, COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC., as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash a cashier's check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state). AT: At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building, 350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State describing the land therein: APN # 6069-015-003 AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1713 EAST 111TH PLACE , LOS ANGELES, CA 90059-1913 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Trustee's Sale is: $326,816.57 (estimated amount). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The Beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or

Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2923.52: 1. Pursuant to California Civil Code 2923.54 the undersigned, on behalf of the beneficiary, loan servicer or authorized agent, declares as follows: X Servicer does hereby state that Servicer has obtained from the commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date of the notice of sale is filed. 2. Timeframe for giving notice of sale specified in subdivision (a) Section 2923.52 Does X Does not apply pursuant to section 2923.52 or 2923.55 Dated: 06/29/2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC., DBA TRUSTEE CORPS, as Successor Trustee By: ROWENA PAZ, TRUSTEE SALES OFFICER TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 FOR SALE INFORMATION CONTACT: (714)786-5351, (949) 252-8300 FOR REINSTATEMENT / PAY OFF REQUESTS CONTACT: (949) 252-8300 RPRequests@trusteecorps.com Ad #13630 2011-07-07 2011-07-14 2011-07-21 Trustee Sale No. CA09001628-11-1 APN 6069-027-022 Title Order No. 5207774 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED September 22, 2008. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On August 1, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on September 30, 2008, as Instrument No. 20081749637, of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, executed by ELODIO SANTIBANEZ, A SINGLE MAN AND RUDY LENORE CARDENAS, A SINGLE MAN, AS JOINT TENANTS, as Trustor(s), in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1667 E 115TH ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90059-2501 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $321,130.65 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: June 30, 2011 TRUSTEE CORPS TS No. CA09001628-11-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Rowena Paz, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #13671 2011-07-07 2011-07-14 2011-07-21

Qualified “A”, licensed Contractors are invited to submit sealed bids by 2:05 PM, August 3, 2011 to the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority for Project Number E11-02, Fiber Optic and Service Equipment project. The Work in general consists of, but is not limited to, completion of fiber optic path along the perimeter of the airport and terminating at the Terminal Complex. Includes all conduit, environmental enclosures, electrical components (including conduit and conductors to energize enclosures), concrete pads and bollards at the Bob Hope Airport. Also includes two additive alternates for fiber optic installation. Plans and specifications can be obtained directly from the Bob Hope Airport Web site at bobhopeairport.com under Business Opportunities. All bidders shall register with the Airport Engineering Department either via website or in person. Bids submitted by firms that have not registered with Airport Engineering will be deemed nonresponsive and will not be considered. Call Bobbi Greenspahn at (818) 565-1305 for more information. A prebid conference (although not mandatory, we strongly encourage bidders to attend due to the difficult nature of the existing site conditions), will be conducted on July 20, 2011, at 10:00 A.M. at the Bob Hope Airport Engineering Office, 2800 Clybourn, Burbank, California, 91505. Located at the corner of Sherman Way and Clybourn.

GOVERNMENT LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO) INVITATION FOR BIDS Metro will receive bids for IFB No. OP30202751, Dome Cameras, per specifications on file at the LACMTA Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor). All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by Metro, and must be filed at the reception desk of the Office of Materiel on or before 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2011 Pacific Time, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. OP30202751. You may obtain bid specifications, or further information, by faxing Lily Lopez at (213) 922-1005. 7/7/11 CNS-2130358# WATTS TIMES LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO) INVITATION FOR BIDS Metro will receive bids for IFB No. OP30202750, Video Equipment , per specifications on file at the LACMTA Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor). All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by Metro, and must be filed at the reception desk of the Office of Materiel on or before 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2011 Pacific Time, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. OP30202750. You may obtain bid specifications, or further information, by faxing Lily Lopez at (213) 922-1005. 7/7/11 CNS-2130252# WATTS TIMES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP# 7552) NATIONAL EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT SERVICES FOR PRESIDENT & CEO The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles invites proposals from qualified national executive search firms to assist in the selection of a President and CEO. The qualifications for the ideal candidate for the position of President and CEO are defined by the Board of Commissioners. Copies of the RFP may be obtained beginning June 27, 2011 online at www.hacla.org/ps. Proposals will be accepted at 2600 Wilshire Blvd, #3100, Los Angeles, CA 90057, until 2:00 P.M., July 20, 2011. 6/30, 7/7/11 CNS-2127138# WATTS TIMES INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) NO. 1710 THE INSTALLATION OF (26) EXTERIOR RAILINGS AND MODULAR ALUMINUM ACCESSIBLE RAMPS AT: (I) ESTRADA COURTS; (II) JORDAN DOWNS; (III) NICKERSON GARDENS; (IV) PUEBLO DEL RIO; (V) RAMONA GARDENS; (VI) RANCHO SAN PEDRO; (VII) SAN FERNANDO GARDENS; AND (VIII) WILLIAM MEAD HOMES; and (IX) GONZAQUE VILLAGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles invites vendors to submit bids for The Installation of (26) Exterior Railings and Modular Aluminum Accessible Ramps at: (I) Estrada Courts; (II) Jordan Downs; (III) Nickerson Gardens; (IV) Pueblo Del Rio; (V) Ramona Gardens; (VI) Rancho San Pedro; (VII) San Fernando Gardens; And (VIII) William Mead Homes; And (IX) Gonzaque Village Housing Development. Copies of the IFB may be downloaded from the internet at www.hacla.org/cgs. Bids will be accepted at 2600 Wilshire Blvd, #3100, Los Angeles, CA 90057, until 2:00 p.m. (local time), July 22, 2011. 6/30, 7/7/11 CNS-2127037# WATTS TIMES

BYRON SCOTT Continued from page 13

and then was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers, who then traded him to the Lakers for Norm Nixon. After a 14-year career, which included three NBA championships with the Lakers, Scott is now searching for an NBA title as a head coach. It has been rough in Cleveland for Scott, but he likes the mix of young and veteran talent that he has. He feels that the lockout will go through about December, which should give him a lot of time to improve on his golf game. To register for the golf tournament, visit the AFTRA website at www.aftra.com.

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, July 7, 2011

The RAVE opened to raving reviews State-of-the-art facility.

Cutting the ribbon with Ken Lombard, Chris Tucker, guests and other officials.

Edna Aliewine, a giant has fallen A volunteer, proprietor, community activist, mother and much more… Edna Aliewine, a pillar of the South Los Angeles community, died last Tuesday evening. A native and lifelong resident of Los Angeles, she is highly regarded as a visionary and a champion for her activism and commitment to the improvement of her community. Aliewine was the founder of the Watts-Willowbrook Chamber of Commerce, an original member of the Watts Community Beautiful Corporation, which seeks to improve the appearance of Watts and encourage a sense of pride in residents. Founder of the Promenade of Prominence Walk of Fame, a national historic landmark located at the Ted Watkins Park in Watts, Aliewine fashioned the landmark after the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The project pays tribute to a diverse group of notable citizens of the community as well as celebrities who have positively contributed to the lives of residents in South Los Angeles. Aliewine was also an advocate for issues concerning girls and women. She is a former commissioner and past president of the Los Angeles County Commission for Women, appointed by the late Hon. Kenneth Hahn, former Los Angeles County Supervisor, Second District. Additionally, as the organizer of the Miss Community Beautiful pageant, Aliewine created an opportunity to showcase African American girls in an elegant and sophisticated manner, promoting higher education by providing scholarships to the winners. For her trailblazing efforts, many awards and accolades were bestowed upon Aliewine, ranging from recognition by Bernard Parks, the Board of Supervisors and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who named her of California’s “Women of the Year.” In addition to her civic involvement, Aliewine raised three daughters and worked as a real estate broker, a private duty nurse, a dry cleaner owner and a flower shop owner. She is an inspiration and an illustration of the significant impact one person can have. The Commission for Women salutes Mrs. Aliewine for all of her efforts to improve her community and for her commitment to civic pride, and offers condolences to her family in memory of the full life that she lived. Funeral services are set for Monday, July 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Praises of Zion Church, 8222 San Pedro St. in Los Angeles. Edna Aliewine

Rave Cinemas 15 in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza made its debut last Wednesday, and those who attended were not disappointed. On hand for the ribboncutting and grand opening were members of the public and special invited guests that included Debbie Allen (whose dancers entertained the crowd); City Councilman Bernard Parks (in whose district the event took place); representatives of Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; officials from Rave Cinemas; Chris Tucker (representing the entertainment community); and Jason Lombard, who took the heat for the names that were missed, according

to his dad, the man who put it all together, Ken Lombard. In welcoming the guests, Ken Lombard said that it felt like “déjà vu, for it’s not always you get a chance to do the same thing twice.” For it was 16 years ago that he, along with Magic Johnson, did the same thing: cut the ribbon for the opening of a movie theater at the very same spot. The grand opening gala points up the fact that the Rave Cinemas represents a true a win-win for the community, which benefits from first-class entertainment, state-ofthe-art digital projection screens and stadium seating on the one hand and results in hundreds of badly needed jobs on the other.